Beginning Note: I know everyone hates to read these, but I just want to say a few things before I start. First of all, I decided to start a new story along with the other ones because I wanted to start something original. This story, like my other running ones, will be updated once a week – many of the chapters are already prewritten. In fact, if you’re reading this now, it probably means it was written several weeks ago.

Second, I know there are lots of stories out there set in this time period. All kinds of Bella-and-Edward-are-forced-to-marry-and-hate-each-other-and-then-realize-they-love-each-other-and-live-happily-ever-after. This story isn’t like that; it’s an original idea I came up with on my own. If it bears specific similarities to another story, then that is just a coincidence.

And above all, none of it’s mine but the story plot. I own nothing.

CHAPTER 1

Bella

I knew it was coming. I always did. All the signs were there; signs of the attack that I’d come under so often recently. But, just as it was predictable, it was also inevitable. I knew there was nothing I could do to avoid it.

So I leaned back, fingers drumming against the smooth wooden desktop, and waited.

My father, Charlie, cleared his throat. “Are you thirsty?” he asked unexpectedly, and I knew that the question was the gateway to the flood.

Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at Angela, my lifelong maid and companion. “I suppose…” I answered to placate him, knowing the attack would be more unpleasant if I put it off. I flicked my hand casually at Angela. “Would you please bring me a cup of tea?” I asked, not turning to look at her.

She bowed low and left, leaving me alone in my room with my father; I suppressed a sigh.

Charlie didn’t speak immediately. Instead, he stared off into space, unconsciously fingering one of the brass buttons on his cuff. My fingers continued to tap against the writing desk next to my bed, sharp and rhythmic.

Finally, he sighed, and glanced at me again. “The…” he cleared his throat once more. “The Prime Minister of Tunisia is due to visit in a week’s time, for some simple negotiations.”

I nodded patiently.

My father’s voice grew softer. “He….he has a son.”

This was it.

Even though I had heard it many times before, and even though I knew that it was coming – suspected it, dreaded it – I felt the sharp irritation welling in my chest. My parents simply would not let the matter be! They came to me again and again, insisting on eligible men that I should consider. It was all beginning to drive me mad!

“Papa, remember what happened the last time you tried to play matchmaker for me!” I exploded, unable to contain myself. My fingers dug into my palm with the memory.

Prince Frederick had sat before me, stuttering and wringing his hands nervously, for hours on end. I’d been forced to attempt a normal conversation with him, and hadn’t been allowed to leave the room, even when it became apparent that Prince Frederick would not – could not – be a part of my future.

Charlie paused for a moment, wringing his hands. “Well, yes, but…that was my own fault. I shouldn’t have…anyway, I’d like you to at least meet him.” My father’s voice was firm, yet I could detect a note of hopelessness in his tone – he knew I wouldn’t go quietly.

“Why?” I groaned, knowing that I shouldn’t speak to him this way, but unable to stop myself. “What good will it do?”

Charlie sighed reluctantly. “I know you aren’t happy with the idea Bella, but…you’re already of good marrying age! And there are only so many available men your age…” he trailed off as I scowled.

It was silent for a long moment as we stared each other down. I knew that my father was loathe to have this conversation with me – if he could just accept that I didn’t want to marry, then things would be so much easier! But he insisted on trying to find a match.

“How old is the Prime Minister?” I asked suddenly.

Charlie cleared his throat again. “Nearly sixty,” he muttered.

“And that would make his son…?”

It took him a long time to reply, though he obviously knew the answer. “Twenty-nine,” he mumbled finally.

I groaned again.

Charlie’s face reddened a bit. “You’re going to have to choose someone eventually!” he grumbled. “Or I’ll be the one making the final choice for you!”

I inclined my head a fraction of an inch, biting my lip. “I’m sorry, Papa. But couldn’t you at least try to find someone…closer to my actual age?” I begged. “And perhaps someone not so far away?”

His face softened, and he leaned back in the overstuffed velvet chair, thinking.

“Ah!” He snapped his fingers a moment later. “One of the younger princes of northern France is available to marry-“

“Because his betrothed died from tumbling off a horse a few months ago,” I interrupted, my irritation slowly returning. “This would not be the ideal time to approach him, seeing as he’s most likely still grieving.”

“Oh.” Charlie blew out a loud breath and went back to speculating.

The room went silent once more, and I picked up the pendant draped around my neck, holding it up to the light. It was a small necklace, plated in silver and delicately wrought into a fine chain. Hanging from the end drooped an intricately carved swan, its neck bent into the shape of an “S” – a rendering of the family crest. Its eyes were a pair of tiny sapphire, staring brightly back at me.

The necklace had been carved before I was born, intended to be a gift to any daughters my parents might have, so she would not feel so insignificant next to her brothers. Of course, as luck would have it, my parents gave birth to me – a girl – and were unable to have anymore children. (A/N in my story, Renee and Charlie are still together) So the trinket had been passed onto me, as something to keep to remind me of my heritage, once I was married off to someone else.

For that was inevitably my fate. It might not be so bad, were I allowed to marry and remain in Barcelona. But that was simply not how it was meant to be. I was a girl – unable to inherit anything, unable to succeed my parents as ruler. Therefore, I was worth nothing; the only thing to do with me was to marry me off in hopes that it might gain my parents some friendly ties.

I shook those thoughts away, guilt creeping into my chest. I knew that that was not how my parents thought. I was lucky – my mother and father saw more in me than just a bit of worthless fluff. I was their only child, and treated as such. They’d kept me firmly by their side for the past seventeen years. However, I knew that my mother was horrified at the thought of me becoming an old maid. Poor Renee – my lack of interest in men worried her deeply, and she was terrified that I might grow too old to be desirable anymore. She labored for hours over lists of eligible men, trying to find one who would treat me right. That was more than I could say for other Kings and Queens I’d had the misfortune to meet.

“Aha!” My father’s voice brought me back to the present, and I smiled fondly at him, before remembering the matter at hand. My smile slipped. “The Cullen family!” he said happily, obviously pleased with this conclusion. “They have a pair of sons.”

“Both of which are already married,” I pointed out, exasperated. “And quite happily, from what I’ve heard.”

Charlie ran his hands through his hair, grumbling to himself. I grinned wryly, internally shaking my head at his idea.

I’d heard of the Cullens, of course – everyone had. They were a very wealthy, very powerful – and, if the rumors were true, very attractive – royal family, though they almost never showed their faces. Even though they lived in nearby Portugal, I’d never had the pleasure of actually meeting them. From what I’d heard, they were all a bit strange…though that suited me just fine. Anything was better than the stiff, formal attitude of all the other royals I’d ever met.

My father thought for a long while, but apparently, he had no more ideas. I waited patiently as he sighed, shaking his head. Finally, he leaned forward, patting my hand.

“Well,” he said with a smile. “Of course it’s going to be difficult to find anyone good enough for you. I should have known.” At this I rolled my eyes. “I suppose the right choice will be apparent when he comes along, eh?”

I opened my mouth, ready to retort that there was no obvious choice for me, when Angela breezed into the room, cradling a steaming cup between her hands. Charlie cleared his throat and straightened his color, rising stiffly from the chair. “I’ll see you at supper, then,” he said quickly to me, obviously glad to be rid of the dreaded conversation. I nodded eagerly.

As soon as he had disappeared through the doors, I turned to my friend, watching as she set the porcelain cup neatly on the desk. “Oh, Angela,” I groaned. “You didn’t actually have to get the tea.”

She laughed, smoothing her skirt and seating herself elegantly in the seat across from me. “I had to do something,” she insisted. “I don’t think your guards would have appreciated me standing outside your room with my ear pressed to the door.”

I realized then that it had taken her much longer than it should have to retrieve a cup of tea – purposefully leaving me at the mercy of my father. I scowled at her. “How much did you hear?”

“Enough.” She smiled good-naturedly, and then cocked an eyebrow teasingly. “So…you won’t be a Cullen bride, then?” she asked with feigned sorrow.

I ran my fingers through my hair. “Why would I be? You know as well as I do that they’re both married.”

“Ah, but what about Edward?” Her smile turned to a smirk.

I waved my hand dismissively. “Edward doesn’t exist. He’s nothing but a myth.” Rumors and stories had been flying around for years, telling of Edward, the alleged third son of the Cullen family. People whispered that he was more beautiful than any of the others in his family, and that he spent his life sailing throughout the seven seas, chasing after thieves and murderers to bring them to justice. I shook my head – none of it was true of course, though I had to wonder whose imagination was behind the whole story.

Angela watched me seriously, rolling a scrap of ribbon between her fingers. “What?” I whispered. “What’s wrong?”

She sighed. “You know that you will have to choose a husband someday, don’t you.”

“Ugh!” My hands balled into fists, and I let my head fall back against the seat. It was a relief to finally react this way – I felt the formal “princess” façade I always had to put on slipping away. There was no one I could confide in better than Angela. Even in the presence of my parents, I still felt as if I were sometimes acting.

“Is the idea of marriage truly that repulsive to you?” Angela demanded.

I lifted my head a bit to meet her gaze. Angela waited patiently for my answer.

“I’m sorry for reacting like this,” I sighed, moving quietly to her side, taking her hand. “It’s just…you can’t understand. Things are so much different for you than for me.”

She waited as I gathered my thoughts.

“I’m very glad that you’ve found Benjamin,” I said at last, patting her fingers. Angela’s face lit up at the mention of her love. “He’s a good man, and he’ll treat you well. I cannot wait to attend your wedding…though I’ll miss you once you’re a wife.” She squeezed my fingers gently.

“But…” I sighed again. “Things are not that way for me. Benjamin…loves you. He finds worth in you as a woman, and sees you as more than just his wife.” I blew out a breath in frustration. “It won’t be that way for me! I’ll be married to a man I barely know, or have only met once or twice in my life…someone who cannot possibly love me. I’ll be worth nothing to him…simply a child-bearer, nothing more. I don’t want it to happen, but I know that eventually, I’ll have to choose someone, or my mother and father will choose for me!” I bit my lip, resting my head against her shoulder.

Angela shook her head at me. “It doesn’t have to be like that,” she insisted. “I’m sure there’s a man out there that you’ll find to your liking.”

My eyes rose to meet hers again, and my face hardened. “I don’t believe that,” I muttered. “You’ve seen what they’re like Angela, these men that are bred by nothing but wealth and power…all they care about is increasing their land and carrying on the family name. Whoever I marry, I’ll be a tool to him…. He won’t see me as someone to love and cherish. He’ll see me as someone who can bear him sons. Don’t you see?” I threw my hands in the air. “With every day that passes, I come closer to my wedding day, and I’m dreading it! Dreading it horribly. I know I must get married, because there’s nothing else I can do! Nowhere I can run, nowhere I can hide…and it sickens me!” My head thumped against her shoulder again, and I felt her arms wrapping around me, cradling her head. A part of my mind chided me for acting this weak, but my despair greatly overshadowed it.

“I’m never going to see you again after my wedding, am I?” Angela asked quietly.

I smiled without opening my eyes, though my smile was sad. “We would have been separated anyway,” I whispered to her. “Once I am married, I’ll be leaving Barcelona altogether. But don’t worry – I’ll be there for your wedding. I’ll have to sneak out, of course, and I haven’t quite decided how I’m going to manage that…” I trailed off, grateful for this change of topic.

There was a sharp knock at the door just then. Angela and I both jumped, and I turned my head, straightening my hair before calling “Come in!”

A guard poked his head in through the door, motioning to Angela. “You’re needed in the kitchens, miss,” he told her, bowing quickly to me. Angela smiled apologetically before hurrying out of the chair, smoothing her skirt on the way to the door. I slumped down towards the ground, feeling suddenly, incredibly lonely.

The room was silent, and I watched the sunlight play across the floor, trying to keep my mind occupied. Unfortunately, with nothing to distract me, my thoughts returned to the inevitable future that stretched on ahead of me…and suddenly, I could not stay still. I hopped up, wrapping a shawl around my shoulders before striding quickly out the door. Perhaps some fresh air would clear my mind.

The guards jumped immediately to my side, but I waved them away, hurrying down the gilded staircase. I did not want company right now…I wanted to wallow in my thoughts, alone.

The wind was crisp and clean outside, whistling through the trees. I wrapped the shawl closer around my form, hugging myself as I walked purposefully through the gates. I considered the stables for a moment, then shook my head, feeling too restless to ride. I’d never been much good at handling horses, anyways.

My feet carried me down through the orchards, until I reached the worn path that led to the ocean. The path hugged the coast, and I walked it willingly, glad for the refreshing salt air as it swept in from the sea. Lost in my thoughts, I paid no attention to all how far I’d traveled.

I tried to imagine myself resting in bed all day, surrounded by silk sheets and maids, my stomach round with a child…but I couldn’t. Perhaps someday, that would be what I wanted, but not today. I clung too firmly to Angela and my parents, the only blessings in my life. Yes, this life was luxurious, but if given the choice, it was not the life I would have chosen. I did not want to be a leader. I did not want to be caught up in this mess of dignitaries and nobility and power. I wanted…

What did I want? The image of myself, worn and vastly pregnant, entered my mind again, and I shuddered. The wind swept through the trees again, playing with my hair, and I glanced towards the sky. My eyes widened when I realized how much time must have passed – the sun was beginning to set over the horizon, casting shades of red and gold into the darkening sky. How far had I walked? I turned, trying to see how far the palace was…

A strong arm wrapped around my throat.

The movement was so unexpected, so sudden, that at first I didn’t react. I hung limply as another arm wrapped around my shoulders, pinning my arms to my side. The first hand crept up to cover my mouth.

Only then did I realize what was happening, and I gasped, twisting from side to side, trying to wrench myself free of the attacker’s grasp. It was no use – the hands held me firmly. The arm around my throat pressed harder into my neck, and I choked, unable to draw in a breath.

I struggled silently for another few seconds, desperate to get free. But as the man continued to choke me, I grew weaker, my strength leaving me. Black spots started to swim across my vision, and the trees around me wavered oddly. Less than a minute had passed, but I knew that it would not be long before I succumbed to unconsciousness.

Suddenly, hazy shapes moved in front of me, taking the form of men. They were talking, speaking in words I did not understand, the voices mixing into an unintelligible babble. The closest figure leaned forward, leering at me, showing dirty, uneven teeth.

“That was easier than I expected,” he commented proudly to me captor. And then, to me – “Careful now, princess. We don’t want a fight.” His words were the last thing I heard.

At that moment, the strong arms released me.

The ground rushed up to meet me.

Everything was swallowed up in a sea of black.

I had actually written that chapter before, along with a few other chapters from this story…unfortunately, my computer crashed, and I lost it all. So this is actually a re-make of the original chapter, and it doesn’t seem to have turned out quite as good…sorry guys. But tell me what you thought! I appreciate each and every review, and it only takes a few seconds. Reviews encourage me to write more.

See you all in a week.

Irish Froggy